| Address: | I thought it's better to share the roadmap. |
|---|---|
| How to go: | By bus reach Tirupati bus stand, or by train reach to Tirupati railway station. from there start your journey. It is highly recommended to visit Tirumala for Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple (Tirupati Balaji temple) by bus which starts from Tirupati bus stand and also for Kalahasti and Kanipakam you will get direct bus from Tirupati bus stand. for these three temples you have to come to Tirupati bus stand every time and change the bus route. For rest of the temples it is highly suggested to take Rapido if you are a solo or two persons OR hire auto if you are into a group of more than 2. |
| Pros: | Good communication throughout the city, market, eateries, hotels and lodges availability |
| Cons: | Nothing such I found |
| What to visit ? |
|
| Company: | Solo or friends or family |
| Minimum day/time to visit: | 2-3 days (if you want to explore in depth) |
| Locality: | City |
| Expenses: | 500 per head by local transport + stay as per choice |
| More Information: | Most of the Indian think Tirupati is all about Tirupati Balaji temple, but this is not that simple to understand the entire city is called Tirupati and there are more than 10 very old and exclusive and more than 50 small and local temples scattered here and there. Among 10, Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple is the signature of the city and this one is called Tirupati Balaji temple which is situated in Tirumala, a hilltop city. Most of the people don’t miss visiting this temple because of its popularity and belief. Other temples are equally valuable and they have huge devotees who visit the temples regularly, being into huge queue, invest lot of time to see the idol inside. By the location I shared you might have get some idea that Iskon, Govinda raja, Padmavati, Kapila Tirtham, Sri Brahmeshwar Parswanath Swarna Jain Mandir are nearby inside the city and can be covered within a single day. Kanipakam, Kalahasthi are both on different direction from Tirupati city and is a bit far but easily accessible through local transport like bus. So if you want to visit Tirupati by local transport spending minimum amount, I must say it will take 3 days to cover all. You can plan for Tirumala for the first day staying on Tirupati city, on the next day you can cover Kalahashi, Padmavati, Iskon, Govinda Raja, Kapila Tirtha and on the next day you can start with Kanipakam and continue with Jain temple, Chandragiri fort, Sri Vakulamatha temple and ended up visiting all. Here in Tirupati most of the time it takes more than 1 hour to cover each single temple because of their security and long queue forming. Once you be into the queue you can’t ever come out. Every temple has its unique pattern and stoned architecture, magical tunes played which will create trill and makes you think like how’s gonna be the main idol look like. Yes this is true it takes lot of patience to come across the time you spend and get amazed while doing the darshan. An extraordinary aroma will block your head once you enter to the main temple. You will see ultra respect of the pilgrims across the temple. Never you will find people use mobile for taking pictures so make sure you drove down into respectful activities while processing with the queue. Most of the temple has coupons systems for Prasad you may get from the specific counter. Outside the temple area you will find eateries and refreshment counters and market as well. Now I will try to cover describing the temples which I visited one by one. Tirumala- through steps So this journey started with a lots of excitement around 6:30 am in the morning . As Barefoot trekking is not so usual in India, you may feel okay at initial stage. After the suffocating tunnel you will find the big temple gate which is nothing but the entry point of the staircase. You will be amazed by the colour contrasts of the temple and lush green forest around you. The staircases are properly built up along with the thick boundary where you can take rest when you get tired. You need not to worry about refreshment counters and clean toilets with adequate water supply, because after every 200 steps you climb you will find that. You will notice uncountable devotees are climbing up with you by chanting Govinda’s name. You will also find various rituals which people are following while taking staircase. On the way you will find several small temples which you need to pass now and then. Once you climb 1000 steps, you will start getting exhausted because first 2100 steps are very stiff. So you will see people are taking few minutes rest after every 200 steps. So it takes around 2 hours to reach to a halt where you will find huge Bajaji tilak, remember in the starting of the video I showed you the tilak on the top of the hill? After you reach 2100 steps, you will find this amazing place with lot of eateries and more organised refreshment stalls. I must tell one thing, the shops are pretty cleaned and food are really fresh and hygienic here. You will find water cooler system even though you can take the normal tap water for drinking while taking first 2100 steps. Lots of shops and market are there to buy signature stuffs of Tirupati. Not only that I had witnessed various free animals while taking the steps. Take a look at those. Some amazing petitions footage I have come across the journey. You can see those man made brick buildings, those are the petitions for buying house. And these small hanging cloths are for giving birth of a child. Interesting indeed. Well remember after you cross first 2100 steps, now it’s your turn to walk miles after miles to reach Tirumala. You will definitely enjoy the entire journey taking fresh breath into the nature. Cool breezes will flow across you, birds will be chirping, animals will come near by you, in one word this walk will be remembered. Keep one thing in mind, 99% people walk barefoot, so you should do the same as it is considered as a holy walk. It is good that on the way shops are taking online payments, still it is recommended to keep some liquid cash with you. Once you reach Anjaneya swamy Hanuman statue, you should clap because you will get to know you have done more than half of your journey. Explore this area, explore the road which you may take if you come by private car or bus. The beauty across the area will hug you so tight that you lost yourself into the nature. Every time you will feel that you almost reached, but the destination will play hide and seek with you. All you have to do keep walking and enjoy your journey. So finally we have reached Tirumala. Now keep walking towards Temple. It’s almost 3 km from here. Before that don’t forget to take your luggage which has already been arrived. You have to form a queue again and keep searching your bag. Before you come out your luggage will be checked by the security. In Tirumala you generally can’t find private hotel. You have to enrol your name. Based on the availability you will be notified. That means if anyone leaves room, you will get a call. Room tariff is 50 to 100 rs. Another important factor of this temple is, people here make Tirumala as their primary home. They come here, stay free for unlimited period, sleep in temple complex, eat free food day and night, use free toilet what else. Everything happens by the grace of lord Vishnu. Another remarkable thing is Tirumala has its biggest market area. Eateries are all over, shops are there in every corner. If you come by bus it takes 85 rs from Tirupati to Tirumala. In Tirumala there are also free bus services which roams inside Tirumala only, it is beneficial for old people and those who come by local transport. Food and Stay In https://tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in/ website you might find accommodation menu, but frankly for me it was too complicated. Most of the time they you will find that allocations services are not open. so I will suggest to take hotels in Tirupati city nearby bus stand or railways. You will find n number of hotels with various range. And for food anywhere you will find small or big eateries. Keep in mind, you won't find non-veg in Tirumala but in Tirupati you will find everything. My suggestion would be take food from Tirumala once from "Tirumala Annaprasadam" which is absolutely free. This building is in North-East side of Swami Pushkarini. Stay at Tirumala (Private hotel/ Guest house) you can get more information about Sanku Mitta Guest House from this website. https://gotirupati.com/sanku-mitta-guest-house-tirumala/. you can also call to these numbers for booking 8500 898 000, 93 93 93 9150. Room tariff is 1500 approx per day. But you need advance booking for that. |
Picture Gallery
All Comments
No Comments Available